Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 12/8/2008

Question
Hello,I have a daughter that will be 12 soon. We will be moving from Michigan to Arizona. My daughter has been taking ballet since age 2 1/2. I put her in ballet because she was a premi and that it would help strengthen her legs. Well, it worked and she has fallen in love with all forms of dance with ballet being her favorite.  She is in a semi professional ballet co. It's called the Macomb Ballet Co. It was founded by Ann Parsley. They are strict Cechetti. Ann is a examiner and goes all over in and out of the country testing. My daughter has tested grade two and is taking grade two and three classes. This is her second year on pointe. I have picked a studio in AZ who also has a semi pro co. I have spoken to the owner and they teach RAD. Do you think my daughter is going to have a hard time with the switch? Ann Parsley says heather has potential. That's not important to me, I just want my daughter to be happy! Heather already dropped tap because she was bored at Ann's studio with tap. They are a ballet studio who just has classes to offer tap etc. Heather use to be a wild child in tap shoes. She misses it. It's going to be a big change moving heather to Az but we have no choice. She very outgoing! She's tiny but very has very strong legs. I have been worried because she hyperextends her legs when she is standing. He dance teacher told me not to worry because many dancers stand like that. She is in the Nutcracker next weekend and they are doing Sleeping Beauty in the spring. We will be moving as soon as school gets out. Any suggestions? Sharon

Answer
Hi Sharon.

Firstly, I don't think Heather will have any problem switching from Cecchetti to RAD. She can be prepared for some changes in style and presentation, and hopefully she won't be told she's doing anything "wrong", because it is just a matter of difference. Some of the ballet terms they use are different too, but she will learn them quickly.

Hyperextended legs do have to be understood properly. Here's a link to an article I wrote about that.

http://balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-build-strength-for-...

I guess it would be a delicate matter to suggest that her teacher read it! Definitely have Heather read it, I'm sure she'll understand it just fine.

It sounds to me like Heather will continue to do well. A change is a change, and she will find a way of adapting.

All the best to your family with the move!